Devotional

There is a danger that we can take for granted the blessings of God. Rather than seeking God, we turn away from Him to seek the blessing itself. This is a common and real danger. We can become so used to God’s blessing that we eventually believe that it is because of our cleverness and hard work, that it is our right. So we take the blessings of God and use them to indulge, to promote ourselves or to rule over others.

The context of the Ezekiel verse is that of the firstborn son. God reminded them that He spared their firstborn during the plagues of Egypt, and that their firstborn are a blessing who are dedicated to Him. Instead, the Israelites began sacrificing their firstborn in detestable rituals to the god of Molech. They took what was a gift from God, and violated it by handing it to other gods.

Beware of greed, of selfishness, of mis-using God’s blessing. Do not be spoiled by the blessings of God, turning them into the objects of worship rather than God himself. Every blessing we have comes from God. Let us always honour him for them enjoying them but living for him.

Brett